Tough Break (FSCU Pitbulls Book 3)

by Stella Marie Alden

“Perhaps.”

  I sigh. “Do you think we’re going to be okay?”

  “I know so.”

  “How can you be so sure?’

  “I signed us up with Mrs. Griswold.”

  “Anger management?”

  “Nope. Communication for Newlyweds.”

  I cup his beard, a bit hurt. “You really think we need lessons?”

  “Nope, but I’m not taking any chances. She’s a friggin’ genius and neither you nor I got a lot of skills in that department. I want us to be together forever. I figure maybe she can help us figure it out.”

  “It’s the most useful wedding gift ever.”

  “Don’t thank me yet. There’s homework involved.”

  Chapter 38

  Chris

  I open the mail, surprised to see an old-fashioned cardboard party invitation written out in script with lots of curly-ques.

  “Hey, Danni, did Mel say anything about a party?” I hand her the thick cardboard.

  “Nooo…. When is it?”

  “Next Saturday. Looks fancy. CJ didn’t say anything either. Find out what you can, huh? Maybe we can avoid it.” I grin and she knows what I’m thinking.

  The semester starts up again next week and we’ll barely have time for making love. We’ve had the best summer and it’s almost over.

  On the night of the evening, I grumble over having to wear a suit and tie and she pokes me in the ribs.

  “Oh stop being such a big baby.”

  I grab her around the waist, still only in her underwear. “Take it back or I’ll make us late.”

  “No, no. You’ll ruin my makeup. I do. You’re being perfectly rational, hee, hee. I mean it.”

  She wears a new dress that she swears she picked up for a song as we walk hand in hand down the few blocks to the Quinn’s.

  Some of the Pitbulls sit around out back shooting the shit and I wave before ringing the bell.

  When the door opens, I jump a mile because a whole lot of people yell, “Surprise!”

  “What’s this?” Danni’s cheeks turn bright red.

  “It’s a graduation-wedding-start-of-season party.” Mel blows a noisemaker and it uncurls into my face.

  Then, she walks us into their dining room where a whole lot of presents sit on a table in front of a football-shaped wedding cake. A tiny groom in a football uniform holds hands with a bride on top of white licorice laces. Crepe paper is strung from corner to corner with accordion paper wedding bells on the ends.

  “You never had a real wedding party and well, we felt you should.”

  Siting on the deck, I hear my pops’ familiar laugh. He’s got a beer in hand and talking with CJ. Best I make sure he doesn’t say too much.

  Coach looks up and clinks my bottle with his. “Faust was just telling me how you ran his business in high school.”

  “Yeah.” More like I laundered money but I don’t say so.

  “Well, it all makes sense, now. Hell, I couldn’t believe how organized you had everything last year. Not one guy missed a bus, no one ran out of mouth guards, and everything was whistle clean. You run a tight ship.”

  I shrug, a little embarrassed by the compliment.

  “No, really. The word got out and three other colleges tried to pull you away.”

  At that, my beautiful wife joins us. She gives everyone a hug then slides her arm around my waist right where it belongs.

  “It must’ve been hard when your son left for college.” She directs the conversation to my dad who is caught a bit off guard.

  “I had to find another accountant, for sure.” He glances up at me for support but I’ll be damned if I’ll help.

  “Did you hear about your guy, Shannon?” Her eyes narrow.

  “Can’t say I have.”

  “He showed up on Jackson’s vacation. He tried to shoot him and his new wife, Star, but she shot him dead. The state police handed the investigation over to the FBI. Seems he had his hands in a lot of illegal shit.”

  My dad has the good sense not to say anything more and stops the conversation by bringing out some Cuban cigars.

  CJ shakes his head when one is offered and ushers me inside. “Families. You sure can’t pick ‘em.”

  “Nope.” I grab another beer and join him in the dining room while my wife excuses herself to the ladies room.

  “I heard you graduated Magnum Cum Laude. Congrats.” He grabs a crying toddler and puts a pacifier into her mouth before placing her on a hip.

  “Thankfully, one of my professors gave me an extension. It just came in the mail. How did you even know?”

  “My wife.”

  Melanie’s laugh sounds from the kitchen. “Women hear everything first, Chris.”

  “She’s scary.” I eye CJ who smirks.

  “I can hear you.” She comes out and grabs her daughter. “By the way, is Danni feeling okay?”

  “Yeah why?”

  “Just asking. She’s not drinking anything but seltzer.”

  I turn to CJ who just shrugs like he’s got a secret he’s not telling.

  Then, he turns to a somewhat older, thinner version of himself. “This is my brother, Andy.”

  “The investment guru?”

  He blushes. “I made a few right choices.”

  “Do you ever take on new clients? My wife and I want to start a 401K and a college plan for the kids someday.

  “Be glad to help.”

  “Help with what?” Danni comes downstairs, looking a little pale and what Mel asked comes to mind.

  “Are you feeling okay?”

  “Sure, my stomach is just a little off. Maybe I got a virus.”

  “How long has it been going on?” Mel comes out with some crackers and cheese.

  My little wife frowns while nibbling a saltine. “I don’t know. For a few weeks, I guess. Maybe I should see a doctor?”

  They whisper for a moment and then run upstairs. When they come down, both look like some ol’ cat who swallowed a canary.

  My boss’ wife giggles and takes CJ and his brother into the kitchen leaving me alone with my wife.

  “What was that all about?” Again, the female species confounds me.

  Danni just about bursts at the seams. “We’re pregnant! Mel had an extra test upstairs. Oh my God. Can you believe it? What are we going to do?”

  “We’ll figure it out.” Grinning, I pull her into my arms and twirl her around and around.

  A fucking baby. Holy shit. I don’t even ask how it happened because she looks as surprised as me. “Good thing CJ’s brother is here. Looks like we need to start a college fund.”

  “Should we tell everyone?”

  “Sure, why not.”

  Together, we go outside and make our announcement.

  My dad passes out more cigars, CJ and Mel cut some cake, and me? I lean back against the wall and wonder how I got so lucky.

  If I hadn’t had that accident, none of this would’ve come true. Hell, I wouldn’t trade my life for all the millions of dollars in the world. These are my thoughts as I take my wife into my arms and kiss her until she laughs and slaps me away.

  Who knew?

  My tough break may have sent me to hell but there was an angel waiting to take me to the other side.

  THE END

  From The Author

  Hi Dear Fans,

  I hope you enjoyed Tough Break. I love writing about The Pitbulls and FSCU. Turn the page for a free prequel to the series.

  CJ Quinn is one of my favorite characters. You can find more of his story, in Busted Play.

  Do you like hot and sexy bodyguards with page-turning adventures? The Bushwick Series should be right up your alley.

  I hope you read and enjoy them all!!!

  I love hearing from you! Look me up on Facebook where we have lots of fun and prizes!

  MWAH and God Bless,

  Stella

  FALSE START

  Chapter 1

  Ryan Finnegan

  “Whoa, Finn. Check o
ut the redhead.” Sitting next to me on the edge of the pool, my best friend, Russ, pokes me in the shoulder.

  I hate to be bothered when I’m studying the play book. Grumbling, I lower my sunglasses, and squint into the hot sun. Fuck me. A pair of long legs in tiny shorts strides in our direction. Shaded by a straw cowboy hat, flecks of freckles play across a pert nose, When the girl smiles shyly and gives a tentative wave, my cock stirs.

  Without hesitation, I make the call. “Block and stop.”

  “Really, dude? She’s gorgeous. Why not let her sit with us and get to know what fucking great guys we are?” Russ falls in love about once a month and sorely needs saving.

  “We both don’t need her kind of distraction. Look. She’s fucking blushing and we haven’t said boo. She’s not our type.”

  “I disagree. She’s perfect.” Quest, best punter in the league, whistles under his breath.

  Intriguing eyes lift at the sound and she bites her lower lip.

  “I’m with Finn. I got this, bro.” Jackson, my linebacker, jumps out of the pool in one easy move and steps in front of the girl.

  Water dripping onto the cement, he stops her progress. “Hey, little darlin’, how can I help you?”

  She ducks around him and shoots me a pretty smile. “I was hoping to talk to Ryan Finnegan.”

  Jackson, the breadth of two of her, flexes his muscles and steps in closer. “And what’s wrong with me?”

  “Hey, I saw her first.” A move perfected with much practice, Quest jumps toward them.

  Matt trips and falls into Jackson who bumps the redhead. For a moment, she wobbles on the edge of the pool, and goes in with a splash.

  Touchdown.

  When her hat floats my way, I ease off the ledge, and the gentleman I am, hand it to her.

  Shivering in water up to her neck, she places her hands over her breasts. She’s turned a shade of red I didn’t think possible and I get why. Wet, her outfit is one-hundred-percent see-through.

  Matt, Russ, and Jackson are deer-in-the-headlights and just stand there staring. Feeling responsible, I grab my t-shirt, jump in behind her, and block their view. Even in cool water, my cock swells when she turns to face me. Hell, judging by her lower half, she’s a natural redhead.

  I step in closer. “Hands over your heads.”

  “I can’t.” Arms hugging her chest, mascara running, she gives a little shake of her wet locks.

  Fuck if my long length doesn’t reach for her under my swim trunks. “Honey, I seen it all. The best we can do is keep the rest from ogling you.”

  With eyes scrunched tight, she raises her arms. It takes some effort but finally, I get my t-shirt over her head.

  I may not have expected her undying gratitude but I’m shocked when Mount Vesuvius erupts.

  “You stupid… pigs!” She swims to the ladder, pulls herself out, and leans into the water.

  When she grabs her wet hat and slaps it against her thigh, Russ, our running back, laughs. I can’t help but join in. She was the one who came onto me. This kind of shit happens all the time. It’s why me and my pals have a playbook. If I want a woman, I’m perfectly capable of finding one.

  She stamps her foot and sexy red toenails flash in the sun. “You think this is funny?”

  “No ma’am. It was an accident and we are all very, very sorry.” Quest looks to the ground and would be convincing if not for the wide grin across his face.

  “Right. I shouldn’t’ve expected any better from a Pitbull.” She spits out our team’s name like it’s a four-letter word.

  I swim to where she drips, jump out, and close the space between us. “It was just a little funnin’. No harm done.”

  “No harm? Look at my hat!” She glowers at me. “I was going to ask you a couple questions about Coach Bradley but now, I have everything I need to know. It’s pretty obvious why he was fired.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I lean in, hoping my size will intimidate her but she has me worried.

  “Everyone knows he was fired for groping a student last year.” She crosses her arms across my favorite t-shirt, her eyes reflecting the clouds gathering overhead.

  Jackson, Matt, and Russ huddle around us, closing off her exit but she doesn’t seem to notice. I was wrong about her. Like her eye color, she’s some kind of chameleon. One second she’s sugar, the next, all piss and vinegar.

  I hone in on her false accusation. “No charges were filed. A man is innocent until prov-”

  “Uh huh. About as innocent as you assaulting me, pushing me in the pool.” She shoves my chest. “I heard you. You called it. Block and…”

  “Tackle.” Jackson grins.

  “You’re not helping.” I elbow the linebacker. Shit, now she’s madder than a wet hen.

  Mother nature, apparently in tune with this woman, blows a cold breeze and thunder rumbles in the distance.

  “You know what? I was going to come over here, real nice-like and get your opinion for my blog. I guess I’ll just write what assholes you are and how you treat women.”

  Shit, now, she’s messing with my career. “Hold your horses, Miss?”

  “McKenzie. Kira McKenzie. Remember the name because y’all are going to be sorry for ogling me.”

  She bends over, pulls her flip flops out of the pool, then stomps away toward a group of girls, flocking to her.

  Jackson shouts out, “See ya later, Red.”

  She shoots him a middle finger behind her back.

  If this is any indication of how my senior year is going down, I am totally fucked.

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